Arizona sheriff to run for sixth term

PHOENIX, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Sheriff Joe Arpaio says he plans to run for a sixth term in Maricopa County, Ariz., despite allegations his department engages in racial profiling.

The 79-year-old Republican, who is under fire from the Justice Department over the alleged racial profiling of Hispanics and has a national reputation for his hard-line stance on illegal immigrants, announced plans to run for re-election Friday.

"It is an honor and a privilege to serve as sheriff of Maricopa County. I am running for a sixth term and will continue to protect the citizens of Maricopa County by enforcing all the laws," the Los Angeles Times quoted Arpaio as saying.

The Justice Department has accused Arpaio of fostering discrimination against Latino residents through the sheriff's immigration-enforcement efforts and treatment of Hispanic inmates in Maricopa County jails.

The Phoenix Business Journal said Arpaio has $6 million in his campaign coffers and strong support among conservatives and older voters.

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today’s UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.

A Spanish version of the site reaches millions of readers in Latin America and beyond.

UPI was founded in 1907 by E.W. Scripps as the United Press (UP). It became known as UPI when after a merger with the International News Service in 1958, which was founded in 1909 by William Randolph Hearst. Today, UPI is owned by News World Communications.